어느 것
eoneu geot
The English phrase "which one" is translated into Korean as 어느 것 (eoneu geot).
어느 것 is used to ask for a specific choice among a group of items.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the determiner 어느 (which) and the dependent noun 것 (thing/object).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 어느 것 can be shortened to 어느 when it is used as an adjective directly before a noun, such as in 어느 책 (which book).
How do you pronounce it?
eoneu geot
Did you know?
- When using 어느 것 to refer to people, Koreans switch the noun entirely to avoid sounding like they are treating a person as a mere 'thing'.
- When choosing between two items, Koreans often use the specific word 어느 쪽 (which side) instead of 어느 것. This frames the choice as a direction or a preference rather than just an object.
- In casual conversation, Koreans almost always replace 것 (geot) with 거 (geo). This contraction is so dominant that using the full form 어느 것 can sound unnaturally stiff or like a textbook.
Examples in context
- 어떤 것 을 선호하시나요?Which one do you prefer?
- 어느 것 을 선택하십니까?Which one would you choose?
- 어떤 거 사야 돼?Which one should I buy?
- 어느 거 해볼래?Which one do you want to try?
- 어느 것이 더 좋아요?eoneu geosi deo joayo?Which one is better?
- 어느 것이 가장 예뻐요?eoneu geosi gajang yeppeoyo?Which one is the prettiest?
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are looking at two different cakes in a bakery.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 어느 것이 더 맛있어 보여요?Jihun ssi, eoneu geosi deo masisseo boyeoyo?Jihun, which one looks more delicious?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 초콜릿 케이크가 더 좋아요.jeoneun chokollit keikeuga deo joayo.I like the chocolate cake more.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 어느 것을 살까요?geureom eoneu geoseul salkkayo?Then which one should we buy?
- 지훈 Ji-hun초콜릿 케이크로 해요.chokollit keikeuro haeyo.Let's go with the chocolate cake.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 것, 어느, CC BY-SA 4.0.
